Stl250 Announces Plans for St. Louis’ 250th Birthday Year

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOX) – St. Louis will soon be 250 years old and organizers of a group known as stl250 announced celebration plans on Monday.

It begins New Year’s Eve, when performers at First Night will incorporate the anniversary into their acts.

Next up: a reenactment of the founding on Feb. 15 at Laclede’s Landing. The city was founded on that day by Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau in 1764. Many of the anniversary events are around the actual anniversary date.

Also in February, the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park will hold a three day “Birthday Bash” Feb. 14, Feb. 15 and Feb. 17.

Highlights will include a “Burnin’ Love Festival” featuring live musical performances, fireworks and a 250-couple engagement ceremony on Feb. 14 on Art Hill in Forest Park; a cocktail party at the Missouri History Museum on Feb. 16; an effort to match 250,000 volunteers to projects and agencies through the United Way of Greater St. Louis throughout 2014; and a collection of online story gathering through a social media application.

The celebrations will continue through the year, from Mardi Gras to Fair St. Louis, from UMSL to Lafayette Square.

Mayor Francis Slay said the celebration “provides all of us with opportunities to reflect on who we are, where we came from and the bright future ahead of us.”

Erin Budde, executive director of stl250, also announced their “Cakeway to the West” project. Two-hundred-fifty fiberglass cakes will be placed at notable locations throughout the 15 county bi-state region.